Towel sleeve

ABSTRACT

A protective sleeve or jacket for a golf towel or the like. The sleeve comprises an elongated waterproof sheath defining a hollow interior adapted to receive and house the towel. The sleeve has opposed ends or collars adapted to be independently opened to allow access to the opposed ends of the towel for drying and cleaning purposes such as, for example, drying or cleaning a golf club, a golf ball or the golfer&#39;s hands.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to and claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/554,459 filed on Mar. 19, 2004, thecontents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a protective sleeve or jacket for towels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various sleeves or jackets for protecting and keeping towels dry suchas, for example, towels used by golfers for drying or cleaning theirclubs, have been developed and used over the years. Two such towelsleeves are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,419,477 and 5,927,489. Thesesleeves are characterized in that they incorporate a single opening atthe bottom of the sleeve through which the towel may be accessed. Therehowever remains a need for a protective towel sleeve with multipleopenings to allow for the quick, easy and efficient access to both endsof the towel. The sleeve of the present invention meets these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a protective towel sleevecomprising an elongated protective sheath which includes an outersurface and an inner surface defining a hollow interior adapted toreceive an elongate towel therewithin. The sheath defines a generallycentrally located neck and unitary elongate sleeve arms extendingoutwardly from opposed ends of the neck and terminating in collars whichcan be loosened into an open configuration to allow access to opposedends of the towel housed therein.

A drawstring member or elastic band may be associated with the neck andis adapted to tighten and hold the towel in the sleeve. Drawstringmembers may also be associated with the respective collars to allow thecollars to be independently loosened open or cinched closed.

In one embodiment, the sleeve incorporates a pad which is suitablyattached to the outer surface of the sheath and defines a non-slipsurface which allows the sleeve to be supported in an over-the-shoulderrelationship without slipping.

In another embodiment, the sleeve has a clip associated therewith andadapted to allow the sleeve to be clipped to the outer surface of anarticle such as, for example, the side of a golf bag or the likearticle.

Other advantages and features of the present invention will be moreapparent from the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments of the invention, the accompanying drawings, and theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a first embodiment of the towelsleeve of the present invention with both end collars in their loosenedand open configuration and the center neck drawstring member in itscinched configuration;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the towel sleeve of FIG. 1 with oneof the end collars in its cinched closed configuration and the centerneck drawstring member in its loosened open configuration;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of the towel sleeve of FIG. 1 in itsfolded, hanging orientation;

FIG. 5 is a top elevational view of another embodiment of the towelsleeve of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the towel sleeve of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the towelsleeve of the present invention in its folded and hanging orientationwith the buckle member thereof shown in its unbuckled configuration;

FIG. 8 is a broken top elevational view of the central neck portion ofthe towel sleeve of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the towel sleeve of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the towel sleeve of FIG. 7 hanging andclipped to the side of a golf bag; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the towelsleeve of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention disclosed herein is, of course, susceptible of embodimentin many different forms. Shown in the drawings and described hereinbelow in detail are preferred embodiments of the towel sleeve of thepresent invention. It is to be understood, however, that the presentdisclosure is an exemplification of the principles of the invention anddoes not limit the invention to the illustrated embodiments.

It is also understood that the Figures herein do not necessarily show ordescribe details of the towel sleeve that are known in the art and thatwill be recognized by those skilled in the art as such. The detaileddescriptions of such elements are not necessary to an understanding ofthe invention. Accordingly, such elements are herein represented, shown,and described herein only to the degree necessary to aid in anunderstanding of the features of the towel sleeve of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 1-4 depict a first embodiment of a towel sleeve or jacket 20 inaccordance with the present invention. Although the towel sleeve 20 isdescribed herein as being adapted for use by golfers to dry their hands,their clubs or the golf ball, it is understood that the protective towelsleeve is likewise adapted for use in any sport or other environment orsetting where it is desirable to have a clean and dry towel availablefor drying purposes.

The towel sleeve 20 comprises an elongated protective sheath 22 in theform of an open, generally cylindrically shaped bag or the like adaptedto be opened at both ends which includes an outer surface 23 and aninner surface 25 defining a hollow interior adapted to receive and housean elongate towel or the like drying means 28 which is shown in phantomin FIGS. 1-4. Sheath 22 may be preferably made from any suitablewaterproof material or fabric and includes a generally cylindricalcentrally located neck portion 24 and a pair of opposed generallycylindrically shaped hollow sleeve arm portions 26 and 28 extendingunitarily outwardly from the respective ends of the neck 24 when theneck 24 is cinched or tightened to hold and secure the towel 28 insidethe sheath 22.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, the neck 24 defines a widecircumferentially extending elastic band 30 which is stitched orotherwise suitably sewn or incorporated into the material of sheath 22.Band 30 is positioned in a generally normal relationship to the sleevelongitudinal axis, is centrally located on the sleeve 20, and is adaptedto squeeze and cinch the neck 24 of sheath 22. Neck 24 additionallydefines second and third circumferentially extending elastic bands 31and 33 on opposite sides of, spaced from, and parallel to, the centralband 30. Elastic bands 31 and 33 are likewise stitched or otherwisesuitably incorporated into the fabric of sheath 22. Neck 24 additionallyincorporates a drawstring member 34 including a drawstring 36 anddrawstring retaining clip 37 which is co-planar with the central band 30and adapted to cooperate with the sheath 22 to allow the tightening orcinching of neck 24 when drawstring 36 is tightened. Drawstring 36comprises an elongate elastic string or lace which extends through acircumferential passage defined in the material comprising sheath 22 andelastic band 30 and out through eyelets 39 (FIG. 2).

Sleeve arms 26 and 28 extending unitarily outwardly from opposite endsof the neck 24 terminate in peripheral end collars 38 and 40 definingaccess openings into the interior of sheath 22. The collars 38 and 40incorporate respective drawstring members 42 and 44, each including adrawstring 48 and drawstring retaining clip 50 similar in structure tothe drawstring member 34 and clip 37. Drawstring members 42 and 44 areadapted to independently allow the loosening, i.e., the opening, and theclosing, i.e., cinching, of collars 38 and 40 of sleeve 20 as describedbelow in more detail. Each of the drawstring members 42 and 44 comprisesan elongate string or lace made of cloth or the like material whichextends through a circumferential passage or opening which has beendefined in the material of the sheath 22 and extending circumferentiallyalong the edge of each of the collars 38 and 40 respectively.

In accordance with the present invention, towel 28 preferably has alength equal to or less than the length of the sleeve 20 and is adaptedto be fed through either of the open collars 38 and 40 of sleeve 20 andadvanced successively through one of the sleeve arms 26, the neck 24,and then through the other of the sleeve arms 28, so that towel 28extends through the full length of the interior of the sleeve 20.Thereafter, the drawstring 36 of drawstring member 34 is tightened andcinched thereby squeezing and tightening the neck of sheath 22 aroundthe towel 28 as shown in FIGS. 1-4. Clip 37 is then slid inwardly alongdrawstring 36 and is locked against the outer surface 24 of the sheath22 to hold the drawstring 36 tight around the towel 28 thus preventingthe towel 28 from sliding out of the sleeve 20 during use.

In accordance with the present invention, the ends or collars 38 and 40of sleeve 20 may be loosened and opened independently to allow access toone or both ends of the towel 28 located with the interior thereof. Forexample, in the application wherein sleeve 20 is used by golfers, one ofthe collars 38 and 40 of sleeve 20 can be loosened and opened to allowaccess to one end of the towel for drying or cleaning off a club or ballwhile the other collar can be loosened and opened separately to allowaccess to the other end of the towel to allow a golfer to dry or cleanhis/her hands. After use, of course, drawstring members 42 and 44 can betightened using respective clips 50 to cinch off and close both of thecollars 38 and 40 to keep the towel 28 therein dry.

Although not shown in any of the drawings or described herein in anydetail, it is understood that the drawstring members 42 and 44 oncollars 38 and 40 respectively could be substituted with elastic bandsor the like structure adapted to allow the ends of the sleeve to beopened or closed.

In accordance with the present invention, a dirty or wet towel may bereplaced simply by loosening each of the respective drawstring members34, 42 and 44 and subsequently removing the towel from the interior ofthe sheath 22.

Sleeve 20 is additionally adapted to include a clip member 52 (FIGS. 3and 4) comprising a looped strap 54 which is stitched or otherwisesuitably secured to the outer surface 23 of the sheath 22 and a separateclip in the form of a key ring 56 which is adapted to be clipped to theend of the strap 54 and then to any desired article such as, forexample, the ring attached to the side of a golf bag as shown in FIG.10.

FIGS. 5 and 6 depict another embodiment of the towel sleeve of thepresent invention, generally designated with the numeral 120, which issimilar in structure and function to the towel sleeve embodiment 20shown in FIGS. 1-4 except for the structure, configuration and shape ofthe sleeve arms thereof as described in more detail below.

Sleeve 120 comprises an elongate protective sheath 122 in the form of abag with open opposite ends and including an outer surface 123 and aninner surface (not shown) defining a hollow interior adapted to receiveand house a towel 28 in the same manner as described above with respectto sleeve 20. Sheath 122 is preferably made of the same type ofwaterproof material or fabric as sheath 22.

Sheath 122 of sleeve 120 is similar in structure to the sheath 22 ofsleeve 20 in that sheath 122 includes an elongated and expanded centralgenerally cylindrically shaped neck portion 124 which incorporatesfirst, second and third circumferentially extending elastic bands 130,131 and 133 similar in structure, configuration and placement to thebands 30, 31 and 33 respectively of sleeve 20. Neck 124 additionallyincorporates a central drawstring member 134 comprising an elongatedrawstring 136 and drawstring retaining clip 137 similar in structure,configuration, and placement to drawstring 36 and clip 37 of drawstringmember 34 and is thus adapted to function in the same manner asdrawstring member 34 to allow the tightening and cinching of the neck124 of sheath 122 around the towel 28 as described earlier with respectto sleeve 20 and thus incorporated herein by reference.

As described earlier with respect to sleeve embodiment 120, elasticbands 131 and 133 are spaced from and parallel to the central drawstringmember 134 and band 130 and are sewn, stitched or otherwise suitablysecured into the material of sheath 122 in a manner known to those ofordinary skill in the art.

Sleeve 120 differs from the sleeve 20 in that sleeve 120 additionallycomprises a pair of frustoconically shaped sleeve arms 126 and 128extending unitarily divergingly and flaringly outwardly from the opposedends of the neck 124 and, more particularly, from the respective elasticbands 131 and 133.

Sleeve arms 126 and 128 terminate in open end collars 138 and 140similar in structure and function to the collars 38 and 40 of sleeve 20and including drawstring members 142 and 144, each including adrawstring 148 and drawstring retaining clip 150, all similar instructure, orientation, placement and function to the drawstring 48 andclip 50 of drawstring members 42 and 44 of sleeve 20, the description ofwhich is thus incorporated herein by reference.

Towel 28 is inserted and cinched within the interior of sheath 122 andsleeve 120 is opened and closed in the same manner as described abovewith respect to sleeve 20, the description of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

In accordance with this embodiment of the present invention, thefrustoconical and flaring configuration of respective sleeve arms 126and 128 provides and creates larger diameter collar openings which, inturn, allow for easier access to and use of the ends of the towel 28housed therein.

FIGS. 7-11 depict yet another towel sleeve embodiment 220 which issimilar in structure and function to both of the towel sleeveembodiments 20 and 120 except that the sleeve 220 additionallyincorporates a non-slip pad 270 and clip members 280 and 290 associatedtherewith as described in more detail below.

As with the sleeve embodiments 20 and 120, sleeve 220 comprises anelongate sheath 222 in the form of an open, generally cylindricallyshaped bag or the like which is adapted to be opened at both ends andincludes an outer surface 223 and an inner surface (not shown) defininga hollow interior adapted to receive and house towel 28 in the samemanner as described earlier with respect to sleeves 20 and 120. Sheath222 is preferably made from the same type of material as the sheaths 22and 122 of sleeves 20 and 120 respectively.

Sheath 222 defines a central neck 224 which includes a circumferentiallyextending elastic band 230 which is stitched or otherwise suitablysecured or sewn into the fabric comprising the sheath 222 and which isadapted to cinch or close the material of sheath 222 around the towel28.

Sleeve 220 additionally incorporates sleeve arms 226 and 228, collars236 and 238 and drawstring members 242 and 244 each including adrawstring 248 and retaining clip 250, all similar in structure,configuration and function to the sleeve arms 26 and 28, collars 38 and40, and drawstring 48 and clip 50 of the drawstring members 42 and 44 ofsleeve 20 and thus the description thereof is incorporated herein byreference with respect to the sleeve embodiment 220. Thus, sleeve 220 isadapted to receive the towel 28 in the same manner as described abovewith respect to sleeve embodiments 20 and 120 and collars 238 and 240are adapted to be opened and closed in the same manner as collars 38 and40 to allow access to the ends of the towel 28 for the same purposes asdescribed earlier and incorporated herein by reference.

Sleeve 220, however, offers the additional feature and advantage ofincluding an elongate pad 270 which is secured or attached as bystitching, sewing or the like means to the underside of the sleeve 220and, more particularly, to the outer surface 223 of the sheath 222thereof in the region of the neck 224 and, still more particularly, in arelationship generally normal to the elastic neck band 233 and generallyco-linearly with the central longitudinal axis of the sheath 222.

In accordance with the present invention, pad 270 is preferably made ofa suitable non-slip material and is adapted to allow the sleeve 220 tobe hung or flung over the shoulder of a user in a relationship whereinthe pad 270 sits over the shoulder of the user and prevents the sleeve222 from slipping or sliding off of the user's shoulder.

Still further in accordance with the present invention and shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, sleeve 220 additionally incorporates a clip member 280comprising a buckle 282 and clip in the form of a key ring 283. Buckle282 is of a construction known in the art and comprises a female bucklemember 284 which is secured to a loop member 285 which is stitched orotherwise suitably secured to the outer surface of the sheath 222 in theregion of the neck 224. Buckle 282 additionally comprises a male bucklemember 286 incorporating flexible fingers adapted to be slid through theopening and into the cavity defined by the female buckle member 284thereby releasably attaching and connecting the male buckle member 286to the female buckle member 284 as shown in FIG. 8. Male buckle member286, in turn, is secured to a loop or the like 287. Key ring 283, inturn, is secured to the male buckle member 286 via the loop 287 and keyring 283 is adapted to allow the sleeve 220 to be secured or clipped toa like key ring 297 secured to the side of a golf bag 295 as shown inFIG. 10. The buckle 282, of course, allows the sleeve 220 to be quicklyand efficiently secured or detached from a golf bag or other article asdesired by the user.

FIG. 11 depicts another clip member embodiment 290 comprising a looptype strap member 292 which is secured or otherwise suitably secured tothe outer surface of the sheath 222 of sleeve 220 and an alligator clip294 of the type known in the art which is secured to and extendingoutwardly from the end of the loop strap 292. The alligator clip 294, ofcourse, affords the additional advantage of allowing the sleeve 220 tobe clipped to a variety of different support articles such as, forexample, directly to the outer surface of a golf bag, the handle of agolf bag, or the pocket of the pants or shirt of a user depending, ofcourse, upon the user's needs and preferences.

It will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description ofthe invention and from the illustrations thereof that numerousvariations and modifications may be effected without departing from thetrue spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

1. A protective sleeve comprising an elongated protective sheathincluding an outer surface and an inner surface defining a hollowinterior adapted to receive an elongate towel therewithin, theprotective sheath including opposed ends adapted to be opened to allowaccess to opposed ends of the towel, the sheath including a generallycylindrically shaped neck having a drawstring member associatedtherewith and adapted to tighten and hold the towel in the sleeve andhollow sleeve arms which flare outwardly from opposed ends of the neckrespectively and a pair of elastic bands unitary with the sheathseparate the neck from the respective sleeve arms.
 2. The protectivesleeve of claim 1 wherein the drawstring member on the neck is locatedbetween the pair of elastic bands.
 3. The protective sleeve of claim 1wherein the arms terminate in respective collars incorporatingdrawstring members adapted to allow the collars to be loosened andtightened.
 4. The protective sleeve of claim 1 further comprising anelongate pad which is made of a suitable non-slip material and issecured to the outer surface of the sheath in a relationship overlyingthe neck.
 5. The protective sleeve of claim 1 further comprising abuckle associated with the sheath and adapted to allow the sleeve to bedetachably secured to an article such as a golf bag or the like, thebuckle being defined by respective male and female buckle members, thefemale buckle member defining an opening and the male buckle memberincluding at least a pair of flexible fingers adapted to be slid throughthe opening of the female buckle member for releasably coupling the malebuckle member to the female buckle member, one of the male and femalebuckle members being secured to the outer surface of the sheath and theother of the male and female buckle members being adapted to be securedto an article such as a golf bag or the like.